SES Water has been awarded accreditation from the Wildlife Trusts for the second year for its work to enhance and protect biodiversity at its water treatment works in Leatherhead.
It remains the only water company to hold a Biodiversity Benchmark for one of its sites after prioritising work to minimise environmental impact with its Biodiversity Action Plan.
The company first gained a Biodiversity Benchmark last year and is working towards accreditation for its Bough Beech Reservoir and Fetcham Springs sites by the end of the 2020-25 asset management period (AMP).
“We are immensely proud to have achieved this coveted award for another year and it is testament to all the hard work our teams put into enhancing and protecting the biodiversity at our sites,” said SES Water wholesale director Tom Kelly.
“Our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the essential service we provide is industry leading and our clear Biodiversity Action Plan ensures the careful management of habitats needed for wildlife to thrive, now and in the future.”
The site has six distinct habitat areas – : grassland, semi-natural woodland, species-rich hedgerows and dense scrub, which support dormice, badgers, lizards, butterflies, beetles and slow worms.
Biodiversity Benchmark assessor for the Wildlife Trusts, Colin Menendez, said: “Businesses have a fundamental role to play in protecting at least 30% of land for nature by 2030, helping to restore habitats, reversing catastrophic declines in wildlife, and tackling the climate emergency.”